How to Become a Mobile App Developer?

Aarav Goel

07-Mar-2023

The mobile app development industry is growing by leaps and bounds. According to Grand View Research, the industry's market size was $206.85 billion in 2022. The industry is expected to grow at 13.8% CAGR between 2023 and 2030. This figure is enough to tell you how vastly profitable this industry is. And as you can imagine, this growth has also led to an increase in the demand for mobile app developers. An article by Mobile App Daily says that the demand for developers may increase to 24% from 17% by 2026.

The mobile app developer is a lucrative career option. The best part is you only need the relevant skills and knowledge to succeed as one. With low-cost and easy-to-use development tools available, money is no bar to your career as a mobile app developer.

In this blog, we have discussed how to become a mobile app developer, skill requirements, roles and responsibilities, and the career path they can follow.

Why become a mobile app developer ?

It is natural to ask this question before making a career choice. There are many reasons why mobile app development is a great career option. Think of it this way. Can you imagine even a single day without your mobile? Can you imagine not using your favorite app for a day, a social media app, a tracker, or any other app? You cannot. Our phones are a part of our daily life. And apps are what make a smartphone more beneficial for us. User needs are ever-growing, and the need for better app developers is also growing.

Here are some reasons why this career is a rewarding and fruitful one.

Mobile apps are an indispensable part of our daily lives. If you can develop successful apps, you can also become a part of a career that aids in making people’s lives easier.
There is a huge demand for mobile app developers across industries.
You can learn online and get certifications while doing your present job.
You can enter a profitable career option with vast room for growth.

Roles and responsibilities of a mobile app developer

As a mobile app developer, you will be responsible for developing apps. It's that simple. However, what are your exact responsibilities? Essentially, you will create a user interface, write codes to make the app function properly, test mobile apps, and work with a team.

Some of the other responsibilities you will have daily are as follows.

Provide support during the whole application lifecycle.
Write clean codes to make apps functional.
Understand client requirements and develop applications accordingly.
Troubleshoot for any performance issues.
Design and develop the user interface.
Improve user experience by improving performance.
Modify existing mobile apps as per requirements.
Communicate with team members to design the app.
Ensure the app's quality is according to the client's requirements.

Enquire Now

Skills required for a mobile app developer

How to become a mobile app developer? If someone was to ask this question, the answer would be to have the right skills. But what are those skills? Mobile app developers need both technical and soft skills to succeed in their field. Let us discuss these skills separately.

Technical skills

Here are some technical skills mobile app developers must have.

Java

Since Android was launched in 2008, Java has been the default language for producing android apps. And while it has been replaced by Kotlin since 2019, the language is object-oriented and still prominently used in app development. It is also compatible with Android Studio. Therefore, it is considered a must-have skill for mobile app developers. Java is incredibly reliable when developing high-security apps.

Kotlin

After 2019, Google backed Kotlin as the default language for Android apps. This makes it an essential skill for mobile app developers to possess. Kotlin is a cleaner and simpler version of Java. It is intuitive, compatible with Java, and allows errors to be identified in the early development phase.

Language programming skills

Mobile app developers must have advanced programming skills with in-depth knowledge of languages, including C++, JavaScript, HTML5, CSS, and Python. Having these skills ensures that you can build functional apps. The good thing about learning these languages is that you can learn them online through a course or certification.

React.js

React.js is used for devising good-quality user interfaces. Having the skill to build high-quality user interfaces is essential to generating high traffic. Since React.js is a JavaScript library, it saves time and helps developers quickly debug.

Back-end development skills

Another essential skill, having the knowledge of backend development, helps identify and fix any system issues before public release. Mobile app developers often use back-end technology like framework, database management, hardware interaction, and security. This also helps them in developing logical and computational application software concepts.

Angular

Angular is what Google is based on. Its features are advanced enough that it can help in quick and effective development. Angular is reliable and enables you to create large-scale apps with high-quality performance, making it a good skill for all mobile app developers.

UI design

User interface (UI) directly impacts the user experience, making it the most important part of mobile app development. Everyone wants to build a high-quality app that results in many downloads. And this is made possible with a simple, unique, consistent user interface. Therefore, this is the skill that mobile app developers must excel in.

User experience design (UXD)

User experience design (UXD) helps make mobile apps more efficient and provides a smooth user experience. UXD involves using users' behavior data to create interaction between humans and mobile apps. It is crucial to creating user satisfaction.

Cross-platform application development

The different number of mobile platforms is increasing continuously. Therefore, developers must have the skills to manage cross-platform application development. The three primary mobile operating systems include Android, iOS, and Windows. A thorough knowledge of cross-development concepts, such as service support, reusable codes, and simple testing, can help you stand out from the competition.

IoT skills

Having IoT skills is also beneficial for mobile app developers. It helps them develop complex apps and their associated business systems. Since IoT capabilities require high-level expertise, having these skills also boosts your career.

Agile development

Mobile app developers often work as a part of the Agile work environment. Agile helps in the efficient development process. Having the knowledge of Agile development can help you advance your career and even lead your team with Agile.

Soft skills

Mobile app developers must also possess soft skills, such as communication and interpersonal skills, teamwork, collaboration, and problem-solving.

Business analysis: Having business analysis skills means having the ability to translate a client's vision into development requirements. This helps in performing efficiently and effectively.
Communication: As a mobile app developer, you often communicate with clients and other team members. Therefore, you must have good communication skills to understand and meet the client's needs.
Manage deadlines: Mobile app developers often work on multiple projects under a strict deadline. Therefore, you must have the skills to multitask while managing deadlines.

How to become a mobile app developer?

Intrigued by the career? Here are the steps you can follow to become a mobile app developer.

Learn programming

As a mobile app developer, you must know how to program. Therefore, your first step should be to start learning to program. You don’t have to go to college to learn to program. You can do online courses or watch tutorials to learn the basics. You can also attend a coding boot camp. This will allow you to customize your apps, remove bugs, and add unique features. Learn common programming languages, such as Java, Kotlin, C++, and C#.

Getting a degree

is not mandatory, but it can give you a good foundation. Consider getting a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. This can help you build a solid base for further knowledge and skill development. It may also help you get better opportunities in your career.

Choose a platform

There are many different platforms available today. However, you have to choose a central platform. These options include iOS, Android, and Windows. These platforms also have specific coding languages. For example, Android has Kotlin, Swift for iOS, etc. You can do detailed research on the platform and decide which will suit you the best.

Select a niche

The next step is to select the niche you want to develop applications. You can choose from an endless number of niches, including gaming, e-commerce, entertainment, messaging, small business, or fitness. Choose the one you would like to show your skills in.

Pursue certifications

Just like a college degree, this step is also not mandatory. However, it is recommended to do a mobile app development course as they validate your skills and give potential employers proof of your expertise. Certifications can also give you an edge over other candidates and even help you secure a promotion or higher salary.

Get some experience

After you have learned skills, the next step is to test them by building an app. You can work on personal projects or assist someone in theirs to understand how the actual app development works. You can also collaborate with other app developers. The goal is to gain some real-world experience.

Apply for jobs

Once you have the skills and experience, build your resume. Highlight your knowledge and achievements. Start applying for different app developer positions. Make a professional network to help you learn and develop your career.

Salary and career path

According to AmbitionBox, the average annual salary of mobile app developers in India is Rs. 4,50,000. The salary ranges from Rs. 1,80,000 to Rs. 12,00,000. An important point to know is that the salary range can vary significantly with the qualification and experience of the developer.

With experience, a mobile app developer can climb up the ladder to become a NET developer, lead developer, or senior software engineer. They can also become the chief technology officer, senior mobile developer, senior software architect, or senior development manager with suitable experience and excellent skills.

Mobile app developer certifications

As mentioned before, you don’t have to get a degree to become a mobile app developer. However, you can definitely do a mobile app development course to upskill yourself and validate your expertise. Here are some of the best certifications you can do.

GIAC Mobile Device Security Analyst (GMOB): GMOB is a multi-level certification that covers skills such as managing Android and iOS apps, assessing app security, analyzing app activity, and penetration testing.
Android Certified Application Developer: The certification covers crucial Android skills, including Kotlin, control flow statements, object-oriented programming, Android Studio, developing user interfaces, etc. It is beneficial for people who want to develop Android apps.
Associate Android Developer: Offered by Google, the Associate Android Developer certification validates your skills as an entry-level Android developer. The exam tests you on app functionality, user interface, data management, debugging, and testing. The exam is available in Java and Kotlin, allowing you to choose your language.
TensorFlow Developer Certification: The TensorFlow Developer certification is a level one certificate that tests your skills in integrating machine learning into applications. To clear the exam, you must know computer vision, natural language processing, convolutional neural networks, and other similar concepts.
IBM Certified Mobile Application Developer: This is an intermediate-level certification offered by IBM that is suitable for people with hands-on experience in developing mobile apps using Mobile Foundation V8.0. The exam tests you on topics like using a command line interface, client-side and server-side development, authentication, and security.
Oracle Java ME Mobile Application Developer: This course is recommended for people who want to develop Java-based platform mobile applications. The certification has three levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced.

Conclusion

Mobile app development is a lucrative career option with significant room for growth and development. Follow the above-mentioned steps and begin your journey to become a mobile app developer today!

Talk to Our Counselor Today